The rain fell hard on the cobblestone streets below. A single streetlamp flickered weakly in the cold night air. Detective Clara Voss adjusted her gloves with a quiet sigh. Her breath formed misty clouds as she stepped into the alleyway. The victim lay sprawled near a rusted fire escape’s shadow. Blood pooled darkly beneath his outstretched, pale fingers. A silver pocket watch glinted faintly in the dim light. Clara knelt carefully, her sharp eyes scanning every detail. The watch’s hands had stopped precisely at midnight last night. A faint scent of lavender lingered, too sweet for this place. She noticed a torn piece of fabric caught on the fence. It matched the victim’s coat, but something felt deliberately wrong. Footsteps echoed suddenly from the alley’s far end.